Ganguly tops batting averages in tri series

New Delhi: Indian captain Saurav Ganguly had one consolation after losing another final in Durban on Friday. He silenced all critics, who were after his blood following a string of bad scores this year, by topping India's batting averages in the just-concluded triangular series and also emerged as the overall leading run-getter. Ganguly who averaged 63.33 scored 380 runs to pip maestro Sachin Tendulkar who finished second with 342 for an average of 57. Man-of-the-series Gary Kirsten was third in overall aggregate with 373 runs in five knocks for a superb average of 93.25. However, Neil McKenzie, who was dismissed just once in five innings, and Boeta Dippenar emerged as the top two in batting averages with an incredible 223 and 155 respectively. Harbhajan Singh topped India's bowling averages claiming nine wickets at 20.33 conceding 184 runs in 52 overs. His best bowling (three for 27) was against South Africa at Centurion Park, the match, which India won. Ajit Agarkar, another 'pet' of the critics, came second with an eight wicket aggregate for an average of 27.87. He gave away 223 runs in 41.3 overs and had the third best match haul (four for 27) in the series against Kenya in Bloemfontein. Leg Spinner Anil Kumble, returning to international cricket after almost an year, sent down the maximum overs (68) and was sixth in the list claiming seven wickets for 246 runs with an average of 35.14. South African captain Shaun Pollock, who came back to win the mini-tussle against Ganguly in the final, emerged the leading wicket-taker with a bag of 14. He finished second in their bowling list with an average of 15.71 and also had the best haul of the series, five for 37 against India at Centurion Park. With an average of just 11.00, C Langerveldt headed the list of honours among bowlers. Kenya's Thomas Odoyo had a brilliant tournament both with the bat and ball. He led their batting averages with 29.83 scoring 179 runs in six innings and was second in the bowling list capturing nine wickets conceding 293 runs in 46.4 overs at 32.55 apiece. Extras:'I've no clue to repeated failures' Final jinx continues to haunt India